separate is never equal: sylvia mendez and her family’s fight for desegregation written by duncan tonatiuh

Tonatiuh, Duncan. Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez & her Family's Fight for Desegregation. New York: Abrams, Harry N., Inc., 2014. ISBN: 9781419710544

Plot Summary:
     Sylvia Mendez was a young girl excited to begin school in her new town in California. However, upon the arrival of her first day, her and her siblings were turned away and told that they must attend the Mexican school. Being a young child, Sylvia could not comprehend why her and her siblings who spoke perfect English could not attend the same school as her peers. This day begins the day in which the Mendez family begins their fight for desegregation within the school system. A compelling story behind a family who fought for equality prior to the famous Brown vs. the Board of Education.

Critical Analysis:
     Separate is Never Equal is a picture book that both illustrates and articulates the story behind the efforts of the Mendez family as they seek justice and equality within segregated schools. The author, Duncan Tonatiuh, incorporates actual interviews with Sylvia Mendez as well as information gathered from court records and news accounts. The most moving part of this story is when the author depicts when the lawsuit went to court and incorporates actual transcript from the case within this work of historical fiction. Dialogue from the superintendents as they make claims such as, "they need to learn cleanliness of mind, manner, and dress. They are not learning that at home." These are actual accounts from court transcripts from the Mendez vs. Westminster court case. Further strengthening the author's usage of cultural authenticity is his inclusion of interlingualism throughout the context including another powerful line said by Sylvia's mother; "No sabes que por eso luchamos?" This line is translated as, "Don't you know that is why we fought?," as Mrs. Mendez begins to describe the importance and hardships endured for desegregation.
     Along with Tonatiuh's strong inclusions from actual dialog, he also provides his audience with profound illustrations. He utilizes simplified shapes and various textures to portray cultural elements among the Mexican Americans he depicts. Such elements include the usage of brown skin and thick shiny hair to depict Mexican Americans, as well as including the style of clothing worn in the mid 1940's. The author does a great job including various elements to accurately depict and tell the story of Mendez vs. Westminster.

Review Excerpts:

"Tonatiuh (Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote) offers an illuminating account of a family’s hard-fought legal battle to desegregate California schools in the years before Brown v. Board of Education. In 1944, after years of laboring as a field worker, Sylvia Mendez’s father leases his own farm in Westminster, Calif. But even though Mexican-born Mr. Mendez is a U.S. citizen and his wife is Puerto Rican, their children are banned from the local public school and told they must attend the inferior “Mexican school.” When all else fails, the Mendezes and four other families file a lawsuit. Readers will share Sylvia’s outrage as she listens to a district superintendent denigrate Mexicans (Tonatiuh drew his words and other testimony from court transcripts). Visually, the book is in keeping with Tonatiuh’s previous work, his simplified and stylized shapes drawn from Mexican artwork. He again portrays his characters’ faces in profile, with collaged elements of hair, fabric, and fibrous paper lending an understated texture. An extensive author’s note provides historical context (including that Sylvia Mendez received a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011) and urges readers to make their own voices heard." - Publishers Weekly

"When the Mendezes moved to Westminster, CA, in 1944, third-grader Sylvia tried to enter Westminster School. However, the family was repeatedly told, "'Your children have to go to the Mexican school.' 'But why?' asked Mr. Mendez……'That is how it is done.'" In response, they formed the Parents' Association of Mexican-American Children, distributed petitions, and eventually filed a successful lawsuit that was supported by organizations ranging from the Japanese American Citizens League to the American Jewish Congress. Younger children will be outraged by the injustice of the Mendez family story but pleased by its successful resolution. Older children will understand the importance of the 1947 ruling that desegregated California schools, paving the way for Brown v. Board of Education seven years later. Back matter includes a detailed author's note and photographs. The excellent bibliography cites primary sources, including court transcripts and the author's interview with Sylvia Mendez, who did attend Westminster School and grew up to earn the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Tonatiuh's illustrations tell a modern story with figures reminiscent of the pictorial writing of the Mixtec, an indigenous people from Mexico. Here, the author deliberately connects his heritage with the prejudices of mid-20th century America. One jarring illustration of three brown children barred from a pool filled with lighter-skinned children behind a sign that reads, "No Dogs or Mexicans Allowed," will remind readers of photographs from the Jim Crow South. Compare and contrast young Sylvia Mendez's experience with Robert Coles's The Story of Ruby Bridges (Scholastic, 1995) to broaden a discussion of school desegregation." - School Library Journal

"A little-known yet important story of the fight to end school discrimination against Mexican-American children is told with lively text and expressive art.Most associate the fight for school integration with the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education. However, seven years earlier, Mexican-American students in California saw an end to discrimination there. The little girl at the center of that case, Sylvia Mendez, was the daughter of parents who looked forward to sending her to the school near their newly leased farm. When her aunt attempted to register the family children, they were directed to the "Mexican school," despite proficiency in English and citizenship. No one could explain to Mr. Mendez why his children were not allowed to attend the better-appointed school nearby. Despite the reluctance of many fellow Mexican-Americans to cause "problems," he filed a suit, receiving the support of numerous civil rights organizations. Tonatiuh masterfully combines text and folk-inspired art to add an important piece to the mosaic of U.S. civil rights history. The universality of parents' desires for better opportunities for their children is made plain. The extensive author's note provides context, and readers can connect with the real people in the story through photographs of Sylvia, her parents and the schools in question. Helpful backmatter includes a glossary, bibliography and index. Even the sourcing of dialogue is explained.A compelling story told with impeccable care." - Kirkus Reviews

Connections:
Customers who purchased this title also purchased Brown Girl Dreaming, The Right Word, and When the Beat was Born.

Interactivity:

• Ask children if they have heard of Brown vs. The Board of Education, then educate them on Mendez vs. Westminster.
• Teach children that separate is not equal.
• Allow children to describe how they would feel if they were not able to sit next to their friends because they do not have the same eye color as them.